In a recent interview, Pastor Robert Jeffress addresses the hot topic of Christian nationalism, clarifying what it is and isn’t. Speaking to Tim Clinton on “Real America’s Voice,” the pastor of Dallas First Baptist Church emphasizes that Christians should vote and should love their country—but not more than they love God.
Regarding claims that he’s a Christian nationalist, which he has previously denied, Jeffress says the argument involves a straw man fallacy. If Christian nationalism is “simply loving your country more than you love God, then of course I’m not a Christian nationalist. No Bible-believing Christian is,” he says. “We always put our love for God above everything, even allegiance to our country.” But that’s not what his critics are talking about, says the 66-year-old pastor.
Pastor Robert Jeffress: The Left Imposes Their Values Via Elections
“Listen carefully,” Jeffress says. “They say they are opposed to people who say America was founded as a Christian nation, Americans who believe not only in the spiritual heritage of our nation, but believe that we ought to use elections to help return our country to its Christian foundation. If that’s Christian nationalism, count me in. Because that’s what we have to do.”
“And what’s so hypocritical about this,” continues the megachurch pastor, “is the left don’t mind at all imposing their values on our country through the election process. They don’t mind forcing their pro-abortion, pro-transgender, pro-open borders policy upon our nation. But they object when conservative Christians try to impose their values on society at large. It’s complete hypocrisy.”
That strategy, Jeffress adds, is “an attempt to try to intimidate Christians from participating in elections, and I think it’s going to backfire tremendously.”
‘You Bet’ Jesus Would Vote Today, Says Pastor Robert Jeffress
To be the salt of the earth, Christians need to vote and “engage in the culture,” Jeffress says. When asked what issues most pastors and Christians are concerned about ahead of the midterm elections, Jeffress points to many of the same things unbelievers are concerned about, from inflation and high interest rates to crime and border control.
“But then on top of that,” he adds, “for Christians and for pastors especially, I think there’s a complete disgust with what’s happening in the culture.” Though abortion is key, Jeffress says he thinks the “transgender movement is doing more to energize Christians to go to the polls than anything. Christians are sick and tired of having this godless agenda crammed down the throats not just of Americans but especially our children.” Jeffress predicts that next week’s poll results will largely be the “result of this transgenderism that is poisoning our country.”
